Thought Bubble

The festival will take place 19th – 22nd November 2009 at various venues across Leeds with a centre-piece one day convention on Saturday 21st at Savile’s Hall (opposite the Royal Armouries), the guest list for which can be found here.

The full festival programme is as follows…

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Thursday 19^th November

Opening Night Party and Comics Quiz, Fab Cafe, 7pm ’til 2am, FREE

Fancy dress party (heroes and villains), screenings of Astro Boy, and Blood The Last Vampire.

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Friday 20^th November

Book Crossing, Leeds City Centre, All Day, FREE

Look out for free graphic novels left around Leeds City Centre!

Thought Bubble Reception, City Inn Hotel Bar,  8pm, continuing at The Faversham, 10pm

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Saturday 21^st November

Comic Book Convention, Saviles Hall and Alea Casino

Tickets for the one day convention cost £8 for adults, £4 for Breeze card holders, £4 for Cosplayers, and under-12s get in for free. Details as to purchasing tickets can be found here.

10:00 – Doors Open, Saviles Hall

10:45 – Doors Open, Alea Casino

Food and drink available all day at Mumtaz (across the bridge from Saviles Hall), and Alea Casino top floor bar.

All Day – Self Made Hero drop-in art workshop, Saviles Hall, Self Made Hero Area

Stop by and experience how the artists of Self Made Hero work in this walk-in workshop

All Day – Counter Culture Comix Drop-In Workshop, Saviles Hall, Dr Simpos Area

This workshop is open to everyone interested in publishing their own small press comic. Dr Simpo, underground superstar will give advice on drawing techniques, equipment, and printing. Bring your portfolios, ideas, and sketches.

All Day – Hexjibber Live Art Installation, Saviles Hall, The Hexjibber Area

Andy “Hexjibber” Sykes will be hosting a special giant colouring-in session, using blown-up pages from his self-published colouring book.

10:00-13:30 – Marvel Portfolio Critique, Saviles Hall, Marvel Editor Table

Stephen Wacker, one of Marvel Comics’ top editors, will be here to scout for new talent and give advice on portfolios.

10:20-11:20 – Seriously Into Comics: An Introductory Panel, Saviles Hall, Curtained Area

Host: Paul Gravett. Can you really become a doctor of comics? Well, yes you can, and on this panel we’ll be discussing a few of the ways to go about doing so! Come along and hear scholars from across the UK talk about their work on comics, how they got started, and what they’re doing next. Then, if your interest’s piqued (and you’re over 18), head over to Alea at 12pm for the ‘Possibilities and Perspectives’ conference to hear more!

11:00-11:45 – Afro Samurai Anime Screening, Alea Cinema Room, 18+

The Afro Samurai travels the road looking for revenge on the man who murdered his father when he was just a boy. His foe, a three-armed gunman, is the lord of the road he travels. Soon they will meet and battle to be the ruler of this futuristic yet feudal world. Manga Entertainment brings us this very cool action anime.

11:30-12:30 – From Paper To Digital, Saviles Hall, Curtained Area

Host: John Mosby. Guests: Jock, Andy Diggle, Paul Cornell, Adi Granov, Mike Carey, and Jayne Nelson. A discussion on all the latest news on the comic movie circuit; Kick-Ass, Scott Pilgrim, The Losers, and Green Lantern amongst others. Includes a look at how art translates to film and the use of concept design. Plus, what comics would they/you like to see adapted for film, and which actors/directors would you pick?

12:00-18:00 – Possibilities And Perspectives, Alea Casino

A conference on comics by some of the world’s top comic academics such as Mel Gibson and Bryan Talbot. The conference runs all day, but feel free to drop in and out.

12:00-12:45 – The Changing Face Of Comics, Alea Cinema Room, 18+

Nigel Dobbyn, John Ridgway, Tim Perkins and guests look at creating comics in the digital age, discussing such things as mobiles, web, animated and traditionally printed comics, what part young people play in this new market, and how more comics creators are moving from mainstream to self-published works. They will discuss working digitally with the addition of tools like Photoshop, Painter, CGI and 3D, and discuss possibilities for the future.

12:30-1:30 – Manga Portfolio Critique With Yishan Li, Saviles Hall, Yishan Li Table

Bring your work along to get advice from one of manga’s superstars!

12:45-13:45 – Do Zombies Read Comic Books?, Saviles Hall, Curtained Area

Host Martin Grund. Panel Discussion on the popularity of the horror genre in modern comics. We will be asking guests Charlie Adlard, Ben Templesmith, Antony Johnston, and Sean Phillips what they think the appeal is of titles like The Walking Dead, Wormwood Gentleman Corpse, Marvel Zombies, and Dead Space.

13:00-13:20 – Mainstream Geek Screening, Alea Cinema Room, 18+

Documentary short, filmed at last year’s convention event, by Harriet Glynn and Peter Walsh. Starring Simon Pegg, Alex Maleev, and Mark Millar. Are you in it?

13:30-14:15 – Ilya Presents ‘Lose Work Now, Ask Me How’ Masterclass, Alea Cinema Room, 18+

How not to break into the business… but do the business anyway. Fancy something brutal? Warts and all? Ilya gives you the raw deal on how to make a living doing comics. “If you’ve any hopes dreams and ambitions of becoming a comics creator (artist/writer), come along and ask me how. You might (not) like what you hear. Balloons burst! Myths exposed! The Emperor, entirely without clothes.”

14:00-15:10 – Cosplay Competition, Saviles Hall, Curtained Area

Host: Natasha Tyler. Judges: Yishan Li, Emma Vieceli, and Sonia Leong. If you feel like dressing up for our convention you will not only be able to get in for half-price, but you could also have the chance to win lots of cool goodies by entering our cosplay competition! Just register at our cosplay table in the foyer between 10am and 1.30pm where we will brief you on the competition. Winners announced at 4.30pm. Good luck!

14:30-15:30 – Special Marvel Comics ‘How To Work For Us’ Masterclass. Alea Cinema Room, 18+

Steve Wacker will not only be viewing portfolios on the day, but will also hold this special masterclass on what Marvel Comics look for in new talent and how to get your foot in the door!

15:20-16:20 – Computer Games And Sequential Art, The Perfect Pair!, Saviles Hall, Curtained Area

Host: Kieron Gillen. Guests: Antony Johnston, Peter Doherty, Duncan Fegredo, and Liam Sharp. A discussion on the links between comic books and the console games industry from the varied perspectives of a writer, concept designers, gamer, and reviewer.

15:45-16:45 – Bryan Talbot: The Making Of Grandville And The Anthropomorphic Tradition, Alea Cinema Room, 18+

Legend Bryan Talbot will give a very special presentation on his incredible new graphic novel Grandville. A Victoriana steampunk tale of murder with animals taking the lead. He will also be available for Q&A at the end of the talk.

16:30-17:00 – Cosplay Prize Giving, Saviles Hall, Curtained Area

The winners will be announced for our cosplay competition. Will it be you?

17:00 Saviles Hall Closes

Events will continue to take place at Alea Casino for 18+ until 7.30pm.

17:15-18:15 – Crisis of Infinite Crayons, Alea Top Bar, 18+

Pictionary meets Draw the Marvel Way. Two teams of top comics artists complete various challenges to decide who is best! From the makers of the Kryptonite Factor. Guests include Charlie Adlard, Sean Phillips, Mike Carey, and Ben Templesmith.

17:15-18:15 – Top Tips For Vile Villains Quiz, Alea CInema Room, 18+

Tony Hitchman explains how to make it as a malevolent menace; featuring top tips to ensure that your career lives in infamy along with the likes of Doctor Doom and the Joker, rather than vanishing faster than The Living Eraser. Includes everything from fearsome fashions to choosing the right arch-nemesis. Complete with slideshow and a quiz to test your own IQ (iniquity quotient).

18:30-19:30 – Women In Sequential Art, Alea Cinema Room, 18+

Panel discussion focusing on great women within the comics industry with guests Jayne Nelson, Mel Gibson, Yishan Li, and Emma Vieceli.

19:30 – Convention Closes

If you are lucky enough to be one of the first 500 people to buy your ticket in advance (and 18 or older), you can gain access to our after show party, including a very special talk with comic greats Frank Quitely and Cameron Stewart.

20:00 ’til very, very late! – The Thought Bubble After Show Party, Alea Bar, 18+

If your convention ticket is numbered 500 or below, you can use it to gain access to our after party. Proof of age such as a valid driver’s licence or passport will be needed for entry.

20:00-21:00 Geek Syndicate Chat Show, 18+

Geek Syndicate present their first ever chat show. You’ve heard the podcast, maybe you’ve seen them on a panel, now join them on a comfy seat with a glass of whiskey as they chat comics and geekery with Frank Quitely, Karl Kerschl, Cameron Stewart, and Ramon Perez.

21:00-22:00 – Dr Sketchy’s Burlesque Drawing Hour, Alea Top Floor Bar, £2 entry, 18+

Thought Bubble guests will attend this fun, sexy sketching session and you can too! Just bring some pens and paper, and buy a ticket from the Dr Sketchy stand in Saviles Hall during convention day.

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Sunday 22^nd November

Thought Bubble Workshops and Masterclasses, various venues, various timesTo book places email thoughtbubblefestival@googlemail.com

Anime Screenings Programmed by Leeds International Film FestivalFor full details please visit www.thoughtbubblefestival.com or www.leedsfilm.com

The Art of Graphic Novel Writing with Andy Diggle, 13:10-14:40, Leeds Central Library, FREE, 18+

Marvel Writer Andy Diggle’s comic, The Losers, is currently being made into a Hollyood movie, such is his influence in the comics field. This writing masterclass will show participants how to break into the comic book industry, and how to structure narrative in sequential art.

Comics Portfolio Workshop with Barry Kitson, 13:10-14:40, Leeds Central Library, FREE, open to everyone

Barry Kitson, best known for his work on Spider-Man and The Order is back for this special portfolio workshop. Bring your own work along for feedback from one of comics’ greats!

Digital Colouring Masterclass with Peter Doherty, 14:00-15:00, Venue TBC (check website), FREE, 18+

Famous for his work on The Wachowski Brothers’ Shaolin Cowboy, and Judge Death, Peter will take participants through the stages of how to digitally colour line art in photoshop. A basic understanding of photoshop is required.

Sequential Art and Literacy Workshop, 14:00-15:30, Leeds Art Gallery, 12-18 year olds, FREE

Award-winning artist, curator, and academic Sarah Lightman, who trained at ‘Slade School of Art’, will go through the stages of creating your very own publication. She will explain how young people can use the comic format to reflect their own feelings and experiences.

Yishan Studio Shojo Manga Workshop with Yishan Li, 14:30-15:30, Leeds Central Library, 6-12 year olds, FREE

Yishan Li, a leading manga artist, and creator of the Yishan Studio ‘How To Draw Manga’ books, will run this fun workshop for younger children. Yishan will take them through the steps of how to create characters and figures.

Creation of Computer Game Concept Design, 14:50-16:50, Leeds Central Library, 18+, FREE

Steve Beaumont, character design and storyboard artist, will look at how the two are produced within the video games industry. There will be an opportunity to work from a typical client brief to create a gaming character. Steve will also touch on what the gaming industry looks for to give you a heads up in this ever growing field.

Manga Character Art Workshop with Emma Vieceli, 14:50-15:50, Leeds Central Library, 18-12 year olds, FREE

Sweatdrop Studios’ Emma, is well known for her presenting on Anime Network, and her fantastic art on the Manga Shakespeare series. In this session, Emma will demonstrate techniques used in manga styled pages and show participants the foundations needed to create their own characters. This workshop will be fun and informal.

Frank Quitely Art Masterclass, 15:15-16:45, Venue TBC (check website), 18+, £5 entry

Thought Bubble is delighted to welcome Frank Quitely, one of the world’s most respected comic book artists, for a special insider look at his art. Frank is best known for his work on Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, Batman and Robin, and We3. Talking to Peter Dohert of 2000AD fame, Frank will reveal the creative process he employs in this fascinating masterclass. For tickets go to www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

Young People’s Comics Writing Masterclass with Adam Lowe, 16:00-17:00, Leeds Central Library, 12-18 year olds, FREE

Local author Adam Lowe’s first novel, Troglodyte Rose, mixes sequential art and prose. In this workshop for young people, he gives tips on writing scripts for comics, including dialogue, pace, and visual cues in this fun and informal masterclass.

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If you would like to contact us with any suggestions or queries then please leave a comment below or on our myspace or facebook pages.

If you have any general enquiries about the festival, would like to contact us in reference to exhibiting at the convention, or are interested in volunteering at the festival then please e-mail thoughtbubblefestival@googlemail.com